Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.

Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu

Clay Cup Form Its Molded Non Utility

Related Quotes

Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance.

— John Steinbeck

beautyform-over-functionutility

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

DifficultDifficult ThingsEasy

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.

All ThingsEarthEternal

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

ChangeDirectionEnd

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'